Wednesday, June 16, 2010

(Ok, just from typing that title I know I'm going to have "Rockin' Robin" in my head all night long. Great...)

Do you ever have those little “tender mercies” moments? For instance, the milk jug falls out of the fridge and the lid just happens to be screwed on tightly for once and the milk doesn’t flood the floor like you thought it would? And you just look up to the heavens and whisper a very relieved “Thank-you!” And you really feel the Lord is watching out for you, even if it seems like a silly thing?

I have these moments about a million times a day.

(I also have at least a hundred when the milk does spill, but we’ll choose to ignore these for now.)

Today I was in the kitchen making banana bread when Parker came in and said, “Mom, I think I should tell you something that I promised not to tell.”

“Oh, yeah? Make sure you’re not betraying a confidence…”

“Well, would you want to know if Graci, Xander, and Jesi are keeping a sick bird in their room as a pet?”

Agggghhhhhhhhhh!

After returning the poor robin outside, scrubbing hands, teaching them about getting sick from animals, and putting them in the baths for good measure (while giving up on the banana bread) I thought I had things under control.

Then I walked by the bathroom to see Xander standing in the tub, making an up and down motion with what looked like the handle of… the toilet plunger. As in, the toilet plunger was IN the bathtub!

UGH.

I berated myself for keeping the plunger so close to the tub and was feeling a bit frustrated about my germ-filled day. (The sick bird was not my only messy encounter.)

As I got closer, I realized it was the handle of one of those long, bath scrub brushes. The toilet plunger was right where it should be-- by the side of the toilet, NOT in the tub. I giggled in relief.

When we fell in love 20 years ago, we started down a path that has been challenging, exhausting, and breathtakingly beautiful. Here we chronicle the blessings and stressings of parenting some pretty amazing children. We think they're the perfect travel companions as we look forward to the next fork in the road. Welcome to our journey.

Jeremy and Christianne

Taylor Jeremy--18

Parker Matthew--17

The red-headed social butterfly, he's our all-star athlete, top student, outdoor-loving, spunky second-born, with a heart of pure gold!

Jessica Anne "Jesi"--14

Our little princess with the big smile, Jesi loves fashion, friends, hanging with her siblings, and vacations. She sparkles!

Jacob Michael-- 6/8/2004

Little one of heavenly birth, born too soon to bloom on earth. You have taught us so much--we love you, Jacob!

Emily Anne "Emmy"--9/28/2005

Emily's exquisite little hands and feet have left their mark in this world. Her body was tiny, but her spirit enormous. We miss her!

Elizabeth Mei "Elli"--13

Elli's world may be dark, but she's the light of our lives! Lover of music, chocolate, and new toys, she fights a courageous battle with autism while bringing joy to all who know her!!

Gracelin Kate "Graci"--19

Showing true grace throughout her battles with heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, our Gracester is loved by everyone! She's smart, gorgeous, friendly, and has faith to move mountains!

Alexander Philip "Xander"--12

With a spunk and smile that could outmatch anyone's, our Xander has not let Cloves Syndrome get the best of him. He's a talented chef, a caring friend to MANY, our best helper, and is full of teenage humor.

Alexis Li "Lexi"--13

Meet the friendliest girl on the planet! Blind from birth, Lexi amazes all of us with her braille skills, determination, talents, but mosly by the way she spends her days SMILING. She is an angel in every way. We are thrilled to have our darling daughter home six years from China!!

Sophia Breanne "Sophi"--9

Her eyes called out to us from half-way around the world. Little Sophi is growing up and we would do anything to freeze her in time! She's beautiful, smart, and coy and can do amazing things with her toes! She has inspired people all around the world and we can't believe she is ours. Sophi = perfection.

Calais Rose "Cali"--17

Charming Cali joined our family in December of 2012. This girl is beautiful both inside and out. Born with spina bifida, Cali is confined to a wheelchair, but that does not keep her from enjoying life to the fullest. She is smart, opinionated, strong, and lovely in every way. She is a light in our family and a magnet for handsome young men!

Conner Allen-- 17

Meet our newest addition! Home three years from China, Conner makes us wonder what we ever did without him. Blind from birth, he will blow you away with his incredible talent on the piano. He is sweet, witty, girl-crazy, kind and finally, OURS! We love you, Conner!

The Dog

Baxter-- 6 months

She begged and pleaded and wrote letter after letter telling us why she NEEDED a dog, and Sophi finally got her wish! Meet Baxter, the cutest mini-audssiedoodle on the planet.